Circuit breaker for direction indicators



Jan. I4,' 1947.

L. ARMSTRONG "CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR DIRECTION INDICATORS Filed March 8,1946 FIGQZ.

FIG.1

FIG. 4.

no. a.

mvsn-i'on: LESLIE ARMSTRONG av e" M Patented Jan. 14, 1947 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR DIRECTION INDICATORS 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a circuit breaker for direction indicators,and more particularly it has to do with a breaker of the type which isemployed with motor vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker for directionindicators which is actuable to open position upon movement of a motorvehicle along an indicated directional course other than a straightahead course.

Another object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker fordirection indicators which is actuable to indicate the desireddirectional course and which upon execution of the movement of the motorvehicle along such indicated course is automatically actuable to openposition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a circuit breaker fordirection indicators which is simple in construction and positive inaction.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is an end elevational view, with parts in section and partsbroken away, as viewed from the left of the circuit breaker device shownin Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, with parts in section and partsbroken away, of the circuit breaker according to the invention.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view, in section, of the circuit breakerof Figure 1, but showing the parts in position when the vehicle is aboutto execute a turn to the right.

Figure 4 is an end elevational View, in section, of the circuit breakerof Figure l, but showing the parts in position when the vehicle is aboutto execute a turn to the left.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l designates a plate or diskmember which carries, a pair of contacts 2 and 3 arranged in spacedrelation thereon. The plate member is also provided with a pair of stopmembers or pins 4 and 5, which are suitably spaced from each other andfixedly mounted thereon. Disposed in association with and mounted forarcuate movement relative to said plate member I is a hubshaped housing6. Carried by the housing and arranged for optional contacting of one ofthe contacts 2 and 3, is a contact arm I.

Mounted within the housing and carried thereby is a weight supportingmeans in the form of a V-shaped trough 8 on which is disposed ashiftable weight member or ball 9. Projecting from the peripheralsurface of the housing is a lever arm III- for optionally moving same toa position such as to engage one of the pair of stop pins 4 and 5.

The plate member I carries a bracket ll and a thumb screw 2, whichbracket and screw are for the purpose of attachin the circuit breaker ofthe invention to the dashboard of a motor vehicle.

In operation, to indicate intention for a right turn, the operator moveshandle Hi from the central upright position toward the right until itcontacts stop pin 4. This movement will put trough 8 on an incline, asshown in Figure 3, and the ball 9 will rest against the housing. Withthe contacting of the lever Iii with the stop pin 6, this causes thelever arm 7 to contact the contact 2 thereby closing the circuit forindicating a right turn. The turning movement of the vehicle will startthe ball 9 rolling on trough 8, and when it reaches the V-shaped bottomof the trough, the housing will have been returned to its neutralposition as shown in Figure 1. With the movement of the housing towardits neutral position the lever arm is likewise restored to neutralposition. Of course, a movement of the housing under the action of theball to an extent such that the contact arm I is carried out ofengagement with the contact 2 results in the breaking of the circuit andthe consequent discontinuing of the display of the right turn signal.

To indicate intention for a left turn the operator shifts the lever Illtowards the left until it contacts the stop pin 5. This action likewisecauses the side of the trough 8 to be on an incline and brings the ball9 to a position such that it will be supported by the trough and side ofthe housing, as shown clearly in Figure 4. With the movement of thelever to this position the contact arm 7 is likewise moved into contactwith contact 3. The contaction of the arm I with the contact 3 closesthe circuit thereby resulting in the flashing of the left signal.Movement of the vehicle and execution of the turn will cause the ballrolling up the incline toward the center thereof and finally into thebottom of the trough, In this position the ball is beyond the center ofgravity, thereby moving the housing to an extent sufiicient to break thecontact between the contact arm 1 and contact 3. With the breaking ofthe contact the flashing of the left signal is discontinued. By thetravel of the ball back up the incline the housing is moved until thelever is again in the neutral position of Figure l.

plate member having a pair of stop members 5 suitably spaced from eachother thereon, a housing in association with and mounted for movementrelative to said plate member, a contact arm in said housing arrangedfor optionally contacting one of said contacts, a weight supporting 10means in said housing and carried thereby, a shiftable weight member onsaid weight supporting means, and means on said housing for optionallymoving same to a position such as to engage one of said pair of stopmembers.

2. A circuit breaker for direction indicators comprising a fixed platemember carrying a pair of contacts arranged in spaced relation, saidplate member having a pair of stop members suitably spaced from eachother; thereon, a housing in 20 association with and mounted formovement relative to said plate member, a contact arm in said housingarranged for optionally contacting one of said contacts, a weightsupporting means in said housing and carried thereby, a shiftable weightmember on said Weight supporting means, and means on said housing foroptionally moving same to a position such as to engage one of said pairof stop members, said weight supporting means consisting of a trough andsaid shiftable weight member consisting of a ball.

3. A circuit breaker for direction indicators comprising a fixed diskcarrying a pair of contacts arranged in spaced relation, said diskhaving a pair of stop members suitably spaced from eachother thereon, ahub-shaped housing in association with and mounted for arcuate movementrelative to said disk, a contact arm in said housing optionallycontacting one of said contacts, a weight-supporting means in saidhousing and carried thereby, a shiftable Weight member on saidweight-supporting means, and means on said housing for optionally movingsameto a position such as to engage one of said pair of stop members,said weight-supporting means consisting of a trough, and said shiftablemember consisting of a ball.

LESLIE ARMSTRONG.

